Crimped wrapper for cigarettes



Jan. 26, 1954 H. A. LEBERT CRIMPED WRAPPER FOR CIGARETTES Filed April 11950 Patented Jan. 26, 1954 ITED STTES FATENT ame OFFICE 8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cigarettes and has particular relation to theformation of a cigarette in which the paper wrapper is crimped to form aplurality of passages between the wrapper and the filler, through whicha limited amount of air may be drawn during the smoking of thecigarette.

In the conventional form of cigarette all of the air that is drawn induring smoking must pass directly through the burning end or ember,which may attain a temperature of approximately 1500 F. Thus the air israised to a very high temperature before passing through the remainderof the cigarette, where the smoke is produced, and the temperature ofthe smoke entering the smokers mouth is correspondingly elevated. Thisis objectionable, not only because the smoker derives less enjoymentthan from a cooler smoke, but also because the tobacco is subjected to amuch higher temperature than that required for the production of smoke,which results in the formation, through destructive distillation, ofundesirable end products. A temperature in the neighborhood of 500 F. issufficient for the smoke-producing oxidation of cigarett tobacco, andthe heating thereof to a much higher degree is detrimental for thereason stated.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome or tominimize the objectionable conditions just described.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a cigarettewhereby a portion of the air drawn in during smoking passes only inproximity to the burning ember of the cigarette rather than actuallypassing through the same, so that the temperature rise imparted to thisportion of the air is substantially less than in a conventionalcigarette; as a result of which the tobacco is not raised to such a hightemperature in the smoke-producing zone, and the temperature of thesmoke entering the smokers mouth is likewise substantially reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a cigarette isformed with crimps or pleats in its paper wrapper extending substantialllongitudinally thereof and forming a plurality of passages between thewrapper and the filler. The crimping oi the wrapper is accomplished bypleating the same after the filler has been enclosed thereby and isaccompanied by at least a slight amount of compression of the filler toaccommodate the taking up of portions of the wrapper into the crimped orpleated portions thereof. The operation is such that the filler retainssubstantially its compressed form after removal of the pressure appliedthereto during the crimping operation. Thus, open passages are leftbetween the filler and portions of the wrapper, into which air may bedrawn during smoking without passing through the burning ember of thecigarette.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects andadvantages thereof will appear, from a consideration of the detaileddescription appearing hereinafter, in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette formedin accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showingone end portion of the same cigarette in greater detail;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one form of crimping member that may be used toform cigarettes of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 Fig. 4 is an end viewof the crimping member shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinalsection, of a crimping device including a crimping member of the typeshown in Figs. 3 and 4 compressed within a separable casing;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified form of crimping device;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the device shown in Fig.

Fig. 9 is a side view of still another form of crimping device; and

Fig. 10 is an end view of the device shown in Fi 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a cigarette generally designated I3.longitudinally extending crimps or pleats l4 protruding outwardly awayfrom the filler l2 and forming passageways between the latter and theinside of the wrapper.

The crimps or pleat M in this form of construction are formed so thatthey taper from one end of the cigarette to the other, being of maximumsize at one end and substantially in the foreground and taper out towardthe op- The other alternate ones of the crimps or pleats are oppositelydisposed, tapering from the rearward end of the cigarette toward the endshown in the foreground. The cigarette is thus of symmetrical formendwise.

The number of crimps or pleats formed in the cigarette may vary, but ithas been found that about twelve such formations having a substantiallyuniform radial spacing around the periphery of a conventional cigarettegive satisfactory results. The exact size and shape of the pleats mayalso be varied considerably, but as a specific example it may be statedthat the pleats may be of triangular shape in cross section with amaximum width at the base thereof adjacent the filler of about .015 anda height of about .010" when the cigarette has assumed its final set.

A cigarette of the form thus described maybe produced by the use ofcrimping devices such as shown in Figs. 3 to 10, inclusive. The deviceshown in Fig. 3 is in the nature of a spring-wire collet designatedgenerally by the reference character I 5. This device comprises aplurality of longitudinal members or portions IS made of spring steel orother resilient material of a more or less square cross section. Theends of the members [6 are disposed in the annular arrangement shown inFig. 4 and are secured together or integrally formed in alternatingpairs at their oposite ends through connecting end portions ll, so thatthe complete device is in the form of a continuous square sectional wireor the like repeatedly doubled back upon itself.

The resiliency of the material of which the deviceis made and theinterrelationship of the parts thereof are such that the portions it arebiased apart to an appreciable extent whereby the complete device, whennot constricted radially, will assume a condition substantially as thatshown in Figs. 3 and 4, with each pair of adjacent members I6 divergingfrom the respective connecting end portion F thereof toward theiropposite unconnected ends. The construction may be radially compressed,however, so that adjacent members 4 or portions !5 may be broughtsubstantially into contact with each other throughout their length. Theinternal diameter of the collet-like device l5 when not radiallycompressed is suchthat a cigarette of conventional size may be readilyinsorted into the central open space within the device. When this isdone and the device is then radially compressed, the wrapper of thecigarette will be formed with crimps or pleats of substantiallytriangular cross section tapering from end to end of the cigarette andwith alternate pleats tapering away from opposite ends of the cigarette.

The compression of he member l5 in this manner may be accomplished bydirect manipulation,

as by squeezing and rolling between the fingers,

without the aid of any other instrumentality, but another convenientmanner of performing the operation is to place the member 15 within atubular casing consisting of parts 13 and i9 screwthreaded together at28, as shown in Fig. 5. The internal diameter of the casing portions I8and i9 is such as to receive the member I5 in its normally expandedcondition as shown in Fig. 3, or at least in a sufficiently expandedcondition to receive a conventional cigarette within its central openspace. The casing portions i8 and i9 are formed with end openings 2! and22, respectively, through either of which a cigarette may be inserted.

The extremities of the connecting end portions 75 ll of the member 15are beveled or tapered as shown at 23, and the end walls of the casingmembers l8 and 19 are correspondingly internally beveled or convergentas shown at 24. The relative lengths of the member 15 and the casing l8,[9 are such that when the member I5 is placed within the casing and theportions of the latter are screwed all the way together, as shown inFig. 5, the member l5 will be compressed by the pressure of theconvergent end wall portions 24 of the casing members upon the beveledor rounded end portions 23 of the member l5. Thus the crimping operationmay be very readily performed by screwing the casing portions [8 and I9all the way together. Upon unscrewing the casing portions 2. shortdistance, the pressure on the ends of the member I5 is relieved and thismember thereupon automatically returns to its expanded condition byreason or its resiliency. The crimped cigarette is then free to beremoved.

The modified form of crimping device shown in Figs. '7 and 8 comprises acrimping member 25 which may be generally similar to the member I5already described. This member is encased Within a casing 25 havingfixed dimensions, and without relatively movable parts. The casing hasan internal diameter such as to receive the crimping member 25 in itsexpanded condition wherein the central open space inside the same islarge enough to receive a cigarette of conventional size. The casingwalls are turned inwardly at both ends to form partial end wall portions21 sufiicient to retain the crimping member 25 within the casing. Thecentral openings in the ends of the casing are of sumcient size topermit the crimping member to be inserted therethrough when compressedand to permit the insertion of cigarettes into the interior of thecrimping member when the latter is thus assembled with the casing. Twoor more openings 28 are formed in the side wall of the casing 25 toexpose the exterior of the crimping member 25, whereby the latter may besqueezed and rolled between the fingers to compress the insertedcigarette and to form the desired crimps or pleats in the wrapperthereof by such manipulation.

A still further form of crimping device shown in Figs. 9 and 10 againcomprises a collet-like crimping member 29 and a compressing band orring 30 preferably having slightly iiared ends whereby this member maybe forced over and along the length of the crimping member 29 tocompress the same for the purpose or carrying out the samecigarette-crimping operation already described.

Any other desired type of crimping device or apparatus may, of course,be utilized to carry out the crimping operation, either during theoriginal course of manufacture of the cigarettes or after completionthereof in conventional form. The use of collet-like members of any ofthe types referred to herein is not to be regarded as essential to thecarrying out of the method, but such devices are disclosed by way ofexamples of suitable apparatus.

Regardless of the specific form of apparatus that may be used, thefinished cigarettes formed according to the invention are provided withair passages extending substantially longitudinally of the wrapper andlocated between it and the somewhat compressed iiller. Thus when thecigarette is being smoked, a portion of the total air intake entersthese passages around the periphery of the burning end or ember withoutbeing required to pass directly through the same. Consequently, asubstantial portion of the air enters the smokeproducing zone at a muchlower temperature than that obtaining in a conventional cigarette. Thenumber and size of the crimps or pleats in the wrapper are such thatsuitable proportions of air at relatively high temperatures and atsubstantially lower temperatures are supplied to the smoke-producingzone, with the result that the oxidation of the tobacco occurs at asubstantially reduced average temperature, and the smoke that is drawninto the smokers mouth is likewise much cooler than that from aconventional cigarette.

It has been found by actual tests that the maximum temperature or" thesmoke as drawn out of a conventional cigarette during normal smoking maycommonly reach 85 to 90 F., whereas the smoke delivered by cigarettesformed according to the present invention rarely, if ever, attains atemperature more than about 75 or 76 F. This diiferential, together withthe substantial elimination of undesirable end products resulting fromdestructive distillation in the much higher temperatures prevailing inthe smoke-producing zone in a cigarette of conventional form, makes forgreatly increased enjoyment of smoking and reduction of deleteriouseffects thereof.

Other advantages are also achieved by the invention. The crimpedcigarettes are less likely to roll when placed upon an inclined surface.There is less tendency for crumbs of tobacco to enter the smokers mouth,and the finished cigarette presents a novel and pleasing appearance.

A cigarette formed with crimps or pleats of tapering cross section, someof which taper in one direction and others in the opposite directionalong the length of the cigarette, such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2of the drawings, may be lighted at either end without difference inresult.

While only certain specific embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described herein, it will be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made inthe details of design and mode of construction thereof without departingfrom the spirit and scop of the invention.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent,therefore, is:

1. A cigarette comprising a crimped paper wrapper providing a pluralityof passages between the wrapper and the filler of the cigarette, saidpassages extending substantially longitudinally of the cigarette andsubstantially throughout the length thereof, the axial longitudinalcross section of each of said passages tapering from substantially onend of the cigarette to the other.

2. A cigarette comprising a crimped paper wrapper providing a pluralityof passages between the wrapper and the filler of the cigarette, saidpassages extending substantially longitudinally of the cigarette andsubstantially throughout the length thereof, the transverse crosssection of each of said passages being substantially triangular and theaxial longitudinal cross section thereof tapering from substantially oneend of the cigarette to the other.

3. A cigarette comprising a crimped paper wrapper providing a pluralityof passages between the wrapper and the filler of the cigarette, saidpassages extending substantially longitudinally of the cigarette andsubstantially throughout the length thereof, the axial longitudinalcross section of each of said passages tapering from a maximum value atone end of the cigarette to substantially zero adjacent the other end.

4. A cigarette comprising a crimped paper wrapper providing a pluralityof passages between the wrapper and the filler of the cigarette, saidpassage extending substantially longitudinally of the cigarette andsubstantially throughout the length thereof, the axial longitudinalcross section of each of said passages tapering from substantially oneend of the cigarette to the other, and alternate ones of said passagesbeing tapered in opposite directions.

5. A cigarette comprising a crimped wrapper providing a plurality ofpassages between the wrapper and the filler of the cigarette, saidpassages extending substantially longitudinally of the cigarette andsubstantially throughout the length thereof, the axial longitudinalcross section of each of said passages tapering from substantially oneend of the cigarette to the other.

6. A smoking article comprising tobacco shreds in rod-like form and awrapper surrounding the same and in abutting relation thereto, saidwrapper having longitudinal corrugations substantially the full lengthof the wrapper, the bases of the corrugations contacting the tobacco soas to form between adjacent bases channels of substantial extent, theridge of each corrugation progressively approaching the tobacco shredsalong the length of the smoking article.

7. A smoking article comprising tobacco shreds in rod-like form and awrapper surrounding the same and in abutting relation thereto, saidwrapper having longitudinal corrugations substantially the full lengthof the wrapper, the bases of the corrugations contacting the tobacco soas to form between adjacent bases channels of substantial extent,wherein some of the channels are longitudinally tapered.

8. A smoking article comprising tobacco shreds in rod-like form and awrapper surrounding the same and in abutting relation thereto, saidwrapper having longitudinal corrugations substantially the full lengthof the wrapper, the bases of the corrugations contacting the tobacco soas to form between adjacent bases channels of substantial extent,wherein some of the channels progressively decrease in size from on endthereof to the other and adjacent portions of the wrapper on oppositesides thereof define a smooth curve, corresponding substantially to thecontour of the rod-like form of the tobacco shreds.

HERBERT A. LEBER'I'.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 563,962 Hind July 14, 1896 901,334 Flipse Oct. 20, 19081,718,122 De Shon June 18, 1929 1,964,417 Ziehe June 26, 1934 1,995,069Lim Mar. 19, 1935 2,098,619 Finnell Nov. 9, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 3,367 Great Britain 1868 13,384 Norway Mar. 23, 1904

